The stage was perfectly set for a blockbuster main event on WrestleMania Sunday, and with the night already delivering in a big way, all eyes turned to the high-stakes clash between Roman Reigns and CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. Reigns entered with an undeniable aura, the OTC looking every bit the dominant force to cement his legacy once again on the grandest stage.
On the other side, Punk leaned into his roots, delivering an entrance rich with nostalgia and emotion. Revisiting his Ring of Honor days, Punk incorporated elements of his Miseria Cantare theme before transitioning into his iconic Cult of Personality, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Adding a heartfelt touch, Punk paid tribute to several WWE production members, including Bo Lueders, Kerwin Silfies, Jim Shank, Davey Coates, and legendary wrestler Harley Race, who had recently passed away, by displaying their names on his jacket.
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The main event unfolded at a deliberate pace, allowing both Roman Reigns and CM Punk to methodically showcase their arsenals in a grueling, back-and-forth war. Reigns looked to impose his dominance early, ruthlessly driving Punk into the steel steps, busting him open, before escalating the punishment with a thunderous powerbomb through the announce table.
Despite the brutality, neither man could keep the other down. Finishers were exchanged, momentum swung repeatedly, and frustration began to creep in. Reigns, growing increasingly irritated, mocked Punk’s GTS taunt and attempted to beat him at his own game, only to be cut off by a sharp counter.
Punk responded in kind, taunting Reigns with the Superman Punch before landing the move himself, yet even that wasn’t enough to secure victory. The mind games intensified as Punk went a step further, picking up the Ula Fala and teasing a Spear of his own.
But Reigns, ever the ring general, countered with a tight Guillotine, nearly ending the match on the spot. Still, both competitors refused to stay down, collapsing to the mat after exhausting nearly every weapon in their arsenal.
Desperation then took over. In a rare lapse, Punk resorted to a low blow, following it up with a GTS, but even that couldn’t put Reigns away. The champion’s resilience proved unbreakable.
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After more than 33 minutes of punishing action, Reigns finally seized his moment. With precision and authority, he delivered back-to-back Spears to put Punk down for good, capturing the World Heavyweight Championship in emphatic fashion.
It was a match defined by endurance, psychology, and sheer willpower: an instant classic that reaffirmed both men as two of the very best to ever step inside the ring.
Iyo Sky’s Massive Assist Crowns Rhea Ripley As New Champion
Fresh off her victory inside the Elimination Chamber, Rhea Ripley stepped onto the grandest stage of them all with one goal in mind: dethrone the Women’s Champion, Jade Cargill. Despite the heated social media exchanges and tense build-up on weekly programming, fan expectations heading into the match remained relatively muted.
Once the bell rang, however, Cargill wasted no time asserting her dominance, looking to overpower Ripley and make a statement. As the match progressed, the anticipated interference came into play, with her allies B-Fab and Michin making their presence felt at ringside, tipping the scales in the champion’s favor.
But just when it seemed the numbers game would be too much, the tide shifted dramatically. Iyo Sky stormed to the ring, backing up her former ally and neutralizing the outside threat by taking out B-Fab and Michin, restoring balance to the contest.
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With the distractions eliminated, Ripley seized her opportunity. Channeling her trademark intensity, ‘Mami’ delivered a thunderous Riptide to Cargill, sealing the victory and capturing the Women’s Championship in a defining WrestleMania moment.
